St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1887-06-04
AMONG THE CHURCHES.
Facts and Opinions on Matters OF Inter
est in the Religious World.

|
A most interesting development OF the
| principle of evangelical union in missionary
labor has been successfully in operation for ter
| years in Japan. In June, 1877. the missionary
! agents of three churches resolved to enter
heartily into an united effort in their mission
work so as to secure the organization Of all eX-
| listing native churches under their respective
care into one body. The three churches
in question were the Reformed Dutch
Church of America, the Presbyterian
NORTH Church of America, and the
United Presbyterian Church of Scotland.
Two others have since joined in the movement
namely, the Presbyterian Church South of
America, and the Reformed (German) Church
or the United States. There is thus, at present,
a tvefold representation in the Union Church
of Christ in Japan, which is the name given to
the combined organization that has thus been
brought into being.
The revision of the Westminster con-
fession is contemplated by some of the leaders
of the Free Church of Scotland, and the opin-
ions expressed by some of the most thought
fnl of the Presbyterian ministers are interest
ing. Professor Blaikie asserts his belief in he
necessity of definite creed in church. But
while asserting to the confession he is none
the less persuaded that it is too long too elab-
crate ana too minute to be imposed absolutely,
IN It's every article and clause on all ministers,
and that some relaxation ought to be allowed
He would abridge the document and modify
the existing formula of assent. While main
flaming the necessity of creeds for church.
he must own, however, that the ScripturaI
authority for creeds is extremely small. if it
exists at all" DR., Marcus Dods seems to think
batr -Si1
astical strife, and effect very little good.
Now that the results Of the past year
are becoming apparent in the year books of
the several denominations. it is seen that the
gains of the various Protestant Clutches Of this
country aggregate for the past year over half
million members. The largest gains are in the
two branches of the Methodist Episcopal
Church. the North and "S0uth," which az
gregate l.5,OU. The Baptists come ext in or
der. with an increase of 10000 members. Fol
lowing are the Lutherans, with an increase of
1886. and then the Presbyterians with 1885,
and the Episcopalians, who report an increase
of 1851. The other denominations add largely
to these numbers.
The old gite 20 the effect that it take
dollar to get a dime to the heather does not
have facts to back it. In lie administration of
the Methodist Missionary Society out of every
500 contributed sos goes to the missions
direct; 81 "A to incidental expenses'-that is,
interest and annultieS, expenses of bishops in
visiting missions, insurance. exchange, etc.:
81 81 to office expenses-thati is, salaries, tray
cling expenses, stationery, etc, after deduct
ing amounts received from rental of mission
building; ninety-one cents to disseminating
missionary information.
An enormous official-looking document
has arrived in England from Siberia in which
number of conyicts expressed, in touching
words, their gratitude for the pamphlets and
portions of Scripture which the British Tract
Society had sent out to them. At the foot of
the neatly written letter long string of the
names OF the convcts appeared. Some were
written in firm, clear hand, many more family
and llleglbly, while not few of the con-
demned men had put the mark Of the ilterate,
which seems to be Y all the world over.
The Rev H. U. Weitbrecht, C. NJ.
missionary at Batala, has issued a pamphlet
on "1ntidel Literature in India" It is stated
that native publishing firm in Lahore is dis
seminating TRANSACTIONS in different languages
of new European infidel publications from
central India to the Afghan border. To some
extent this propaganda of unbelief and ag-
Mysticism has influenced Europeans; but it's
chief influence has been among natives, both
the English speaking class and those who I'M
derstand the vernacular only
The work of the American Bible So
ciety the past year has been large. According
to the annual report, the cash receipts were
S4B,35S, and the expenditures were $554,490.
During the year 1,675,S97 copies of the Scrip
lures were printed and purchased. The aggre-
gate circulation in foreign lands was 52l 1856
copies. In seventy-one years the society has
issued 4a,324,916 copies, which have been dis
tributed in all parts of the world.
Christian work is moving forward in
the Hermit nation. A Bible committee, for the
translation of the Bible has been formed
by the missionaries at Seoul. Several Coreans
have been baptized and others are studying
the Word. This, at present, is done in
private way, because of the existing laws
against the introduction of Christianity.
The Christian -Adgocate, the official
Methodist Church paper, publishes document
If John Wesley, in which he says: II believe
here is no liturgy in the world. either in
ancient Tor modern language, which breathes
more of a Solid spiritual, rational pety than
he Common Prayer of the Church of Eng
and
The women of the Presbyterian Church
n this country are said to have raised in the
oast sixteen years 81, 10000 for missions